John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
This verse is amazing. Jesus offers his peace to his followers–the peace that can only be found in him. He reassures our souls that we don’t need to be troubled or afraid because we have this peace in him. But it is that middle sentence, so easy to overlook, that brings it all together.
Yes, Jesus has given us amazing peace and made a profound promise, but it is the way he gives it that truly bolsters us. He simply says, “not as the world gives.” So how does the world give? How does the world offer peace?
The world offers temporal peace, peace that passes away. Jesus offers eternal peace, peace that passes understanding.
The world offers unreliable and incomplete peace, peace that soothes to a degree but not to the depths of our souls. Jesus offers proven and perfect peace built on the foundation of his perfect sacrifice and resurrection.
The world offers peace in circumstance, peace that changes with the winds. Jesus offers peace in himself, peace that will never pass away.
I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe.